Are you considering applying to medical school in Arizona? If you like the idea of being a stone’s throw from the Grand Canyon and other natural wonders like the Petrified Forest Natural Park (and just desert and mountains in general), look no further than the Grand Canyon state. Arizona is steeped in rich cultural history, it has a warm and arid climate (no snow!), the people are friendly, and it has a vibrant culinary scene that includes iconic Sonoran hot dogs and Native American fry bread.
But what’s it like to attend medical school in Arizona, and how do you get accepted?
In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about going to medical school in Arizona, including where the medical schools are located, what it’s like to live in Arizona, how to apply, and tips for gaining acceptance to medical schools in Arizona.
Here’s what to expect below.
- How Many Medical Schools Are in Arizona?
- List of Medical Schools in Arizona
- The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
- The University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
- The University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson
- List of Osteopathic Medical Schools in Arizona
- A. T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-SOMA)
- Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM)
- Arizona Medical School Locations
- How Much Is Medical School Tuition in Arizona?
- What It’s Like to Go to Medical School in Arizona
- How to Apply to Arizona Medical Schools (MD)
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- Application Requirements
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- Application Deadlines
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- How to Apply to Osteopathic Medical Schools in Arizona
- Tips to Gain Acceptance at Arizona Medical Schools (MD and DO)
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- Ensure Arizona Is the Right State for You
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- Gain Experience Working with Underserved Populations
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- Develop a Cohesive Application Narrative
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- Bottom Line: Is Going to Medical School in Arizona Right for You?
How Many Medical Schools Are in Arizona?
There are 5 medical schools in Arizona, though 2 of the colleges are under the University of Arizona and require separate applications. 3 are allopathic (MD) and 2 are osteopathic (DO).
List of Medical Schools in Arizona
Allopathic Medical Schools in Arizona (MD)
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
- University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
- University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Founded in 1972, the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Phoenix, Arizona is a national medical school affiliated with the internationally recognized Mayo Clinic, located in Rochester, Minnesota, with an additional campus in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Mayo Clinic puts a heavy emphasis on research. The institution receives $1,075.4 million in research funding, and over 80% of its students graduate with a published research article in a peer-reviewed journal.
The school also prioritizes flexible, personalized learning and career development. Students can customize their curriculum through selectives scattered throughout their regular course content, such as research, specialty-specific, or extracurricular opportunities. Mayo Clinic also has a 3:1 full-time faculty to student ratio, and their class size is limited to about 50 students a year, so students have many opportunities to connect with their teachers and get to know them on a first name basis.
The curriculum is also pass/fail, encouraging collaboration among students rather than competition.
The school offers an MD/PhD program as well, and if you’re interested in doing a fellowship here, the school gives preference to its own students, and this goes for each of their campuses across the US.
Median Academic Scores of Matriculants:
- Median GPA: 3.95
- Median MCAT: 521
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine School Secondary Questions.
In-State vs. Out-of-State Preference:
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Applicants | 335 | 4992 |
| Matriculants | 10 | 96 |
There is no preference for in-state or out-of-state applicants. In-state applicants make up less than 10% of the student body.
University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
The University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix was founded in 2007. The institution’s curriculum is unique in that the first two years of the MD program are organized in integrated blocks that focus on organ-systems as well as basic physician skills and early exposure to working with real patients.
While the second two years will still require core clinical clerkships, there will be significant time for elective work, and the basic and clinical sciences will be integrated with themes such as public health, ethics, and biomedical informatics, and topics like aging, cultural competency, and interprofessional education. Students can customize their schedules to suit their specific interests. Students also rotate through nine different cutting-edge clinical affiliates, giving them a wide variety of clinical exposure.
The first two years are graded on a pass/fail system, and the final two years on an Honors, High Pass, Pass, or Fail system. The institution also puts a heavy emphasis on evidence-based teaching methods, such as team-based learning, small group, case-based instruction (CBI), cadaveric dissection, and BioPac medical physiology laboratories.
The institution has an MD/PhD program that’s an MSTP program, which means it’s funded by the NIH.
The University of Arizona Phoenix campus is situated in downtown Phoenix, and they have one of the best toxicology programs in the country. If toxicology or snake bites are a particular passion of yours, you can almost certainly get involved during your time there.
The college is located near [TGen](https://www.tgen.org/#:~:text=We are an Arizona-based,disease%2C and rare childhood disorders.), which is an Arizona-based nonprofit biomedical research center, so students have a great opportunity to do biotech and biomedical research.
Median Academic Scores of Matriculants:
- Median GPA: 3.87
- Median MCAT: 518
University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix Secondary Questions.
In-State vs. Out-of-State Preference:
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Applicants | 701 | 5170 |
| Matriculants | 60 | 60 |
There is a clear preference for in-state over out-of-state applicants.
University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson
The University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson was founded in 1967 and was the state’s first MD-granting college. The institution has a three-phase curriculum designed to take a holistic view of medical knowledge and the human body. Clinical exposure begins early, and basic science lessons are interwoven throughout the clinical years.
The pre-clerkship phase lasts 18 months and includes the 8 science core courses, the clerkship phase lasts 12 months and includes the 8 core clerkship courses, as well as an ambulatory medicine course, and the transition to residency phase lasts 14 months and includes core sub-internship, electives, as well as a transition to residency boot camp.
The institution has eight distinction tracks students can choose to pursue, including global health, research, and bilingual medical Spanish.
Just like the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, the school also offers an MD/PhD program that is an MSTP program (funded by the NIH). However, the school’s focus is on rural health and underserved populations.
Median Academic Scores of Matriculants:
- Median GPA: 3.84
- Median MCAT: 511
University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson Secondary Questions.
In-State vs. Out-of-State Preference:
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Applicants | 700 | 6220 |
| Matriculants | 89 | 29 |
There is a clear and notable preference for in-state over out-of-state applicants.
Both of the University of Arizona schools are partnered with Banner University Medical Center. Banner is one of the largest hospital networks in Arizona and has hospitals all over Phoenix. A benefit to being a trainee or resident there is if you’re interested in staying on with Banner, they like to recruit their own and offer certain benefits to residents.
List of Osteopathic Medical Schools in Arizona (DO)
- A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine
The A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-SOMA) is the Arizona campus of the original A.T. Still University (ATSU), which was the first institution of osteopathic education in the world and is located in Kirksville, Missouri.
ATSU-SOMA was founded in 2007 and is dedicated to treating medically underserved patients. The institution’s mission is to help students become “osteopathic physicians and healthcare leaders who serve medically underserved populations with a focus on research and community-oriented primary care.”
ATSU-SOMA’s curriculum is based on learning by doing through experiential learning opportunities, early clinical exposure, and standardized patient encounters. The institution has 15 affiliated health center training sites across the country that students can rotate through, including sites in Hawaii, California, and Texas.
Average Academic Scores of Matriculants:
- Average GPA: 3.50 cumulative, 3.41 science
- Average MCAT: 503
Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) was established in 1995, and in 2008, they increased their class size to 250 to help address the need for more doctors in the state of Arizona.
The 156-acre Glendale Campus has a state-of-the-art Simulation Center that includes 19 clinic-based examination rooms, two operating rooms, an emergency room, and more.
Their integrated ultrasound curriculum gives students hands-on experience with ultrasound machines in their first two years of study. They also offer a Bridges Pathway for students in their Biomedical Sciences program that provides students from economically or environmentally disadvantaged populations a clear path to becoming a healthcare professional.
Average Academic Scores of Matriculants:
- Average Overall GPA: 3.53
- Average MCAT: 507
Arizona Medical School Locations
The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix are both located in Phoenix, the University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson is located in Tucson, the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) is located in Glendale, and the A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-SOMA) is located in Mesa.
Phoenix, Mesa, and Tucson are all relatively close. Phoenix and Tucson are 1 hour and 45 minutes away from each other, and Mesa is only 26 minutes away from Phoenix and under 2 hours away from Tucson. Glendale, on the other hand, is 5 hours and 47 minutes from Phoenix, and 7 hours and 23 minutes from Tucson.
Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and its most populous city at 1.644 million as of 2022. It’s also the 5th largest city in the US. Tucson has a population of 546,574, Glendale has a population of 252,136, and Mesa has a population of 512,498 as of 2022. Each city is surrounded by natural beauty and offers a number of outdoor activities, such as hiking and white water rafting.
How Much Is Medical School Tuition in Arizona?
So, how much does medical school cost in Arizona?
Arizona Tuition Costs (2023 Data From MSAR)
| Arizona Medical School | Yearly Tuition In-State | Yearly Tuition Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine | $64,000 | $64,000 |
| University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix | $38,614 | $56,786 |
| University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson | $39,459 | $57,631 |
View the most recent AAMC tuition data.
- Additional fees not included.
You must also factor in the cost of medical school applications, which compound quickly across primary fees, secondary fees, exam fees, study resources, and interview travel costs. Learn more: How Much Do Med School Applications Cost? The Full Price Analyzed.
Plus, there are many other financial factors to consider, including housing, transportation, food, exercise, and events. Unfortunately, the cost of living in Arizona is above the national average.
What It’s Like to Go to Medical School in Arizona
Arizona is home to the Grand Canyon as well as panoramic desert and mountainous landscapes, including iconic locations like the Petrified Forest National Park, Antelope Canyon, and Monument Valley—a site you’ll surely recognize if you like cowboy movies.
While Arizona has a desert climate, the state gets more rain than you might expect, and there are plants and vegetation growing in the wild. Arizona also has great weather almost year-round. The summers are definitely hot, but the winters are mild. Winter highs get into the 70s, whereas summer highs are known to reach over 120 degrees.
The state is full of mountains and has some of the best hiking in the world. You can drive within the city and go on a 4 mile hike within the same day without ever leaving Phoenix proper. And speaking of driving, you’ll likely need a car, as Arizona’s public transportation leaves something to be desired.
The air quality in Arizona is excellent and carries lower levels of pollution than most other areas in the US. The arid climate also means you don’t have to deal with mosquitos or gnats. But of course, venomous snakes and scorpions abound, so it’s not much of a trade!
Arizona has a lower crime rate than many other areas in the US, cost of living is reasonable, and the state has a rich cultural history. It’s home to 22 Native American tribes, including the Apache and the Navajo.
Arizona also has a great culinary scene, with iconic foods like fry bread, chimichangas, and the Sonoran hot dog, which is a hot dog piled high with bacon, pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, green chile sauce, mustard, mayonnaise, and more.
Tucson tends to be a bit more laid back type of city, and it’s more rural, so the city is much less crowded than Phoenix and the cost of living is also cheaper. Residents tend to buy homes in Tucson, and medical students can find affordable housing around the campus.
While Phoenix has become more expensive in recent years, it’s generally much less expensive when compared to other major cities, and it has everything anyone would want from a big city. Like any big city, Phoenix has more conveniences than Tucson, such as a large airport. Another appeal is that if you are in the Southern California area, it’s a very quick flight or even drive away.
How to Apply to Arizona Medical Schools (MD)
You’ll use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), the AAMC’s centralized medical school application processing service, to apply to allopathic medical schools in Arizona. This is the primary application method for first year entering classes for the vast majority of US medical schools. Regardless of how many schools you want to apply to, you only need to submit one set of application materials to AMCAS, and the system handles the rest.
Here’s what you need to know about applying to med schools in Arizona.
1 | Application Requirements
Your primary application is composed of several different pieces, and each is essential to your acceptance.
Those pieces are your college transcripts, a high GPA and MCAT score, a narrative-driven personal statement, strong letters of recommendation, and a varied Work and Activities section.
At the time of this article, no medical school in Arizona requires the Casper test or the PREview exam.
After submitting your primary application, secondary applications will likely arrive two to four weeks later. Unlike the primary application, secondaries must be submitted directly to each of the schools you received them from.
If admissions committees find your applications appealing, you could receive an interview invitation any time between the end of August and the spring of the following year.
Learn more about the complete application process: How to Get Into Medical School: AMCAS Application Process.
2 | Application Deadlines
Every year, the AMCAS application opens the first week of May and submissions begin at the end of May or early June. This means that if you want to start medical school in the fall of 2026, you need to start the application process in the spring of 2025.
While there are technical application deadlines, for the most part, they should be disregarded, as they do not reflect reality. Applications are evaluated as they are received, which is known as rolling admissions. Therefore, the first people to submit their primary application are the first to receive secondaries, and then the first to submit their secondaries are the first to receive interview invites. Class sizes are not unlimited, and spots can fill up fast. The longer you procrastinate, the worse your chances of acceptance.
The following cannot be overstated: Applying as soon as submissions open is critical to your success—secondaries and interviews included. For most medical schools in the country, Arizona included, interviews begin in September and continue through to March of the following year.
Here’s what you should be working on month-by-month: Medical School Application Timeline and Monthly Schedule. (Updated every application cycle.)
How to Apply to Osteopathic Medical Schools in Arizona
Applying to osteopathic (DO) medical schools in Arizona is much the same as applying to MD schools. Just like the MD application, the DO primary application is composed of your transcripts, personal statement, letters of recommendation (evaluation), an experiences and achievements section, and MCAT score,
However, instead of applying through AMCAS, you’ll apply through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS).
The other key difference is that applying to DO schools requires experience with osteopathy. Your DO personal statement asks you directly why you want to pursue osteopathic medicine, and you must include at least one letter of recommendation from a DO.
Learn more about the DO application process with our AACOMAS Application Guide for DO Schools.
Tips for Acceptance at Arizona Medical Schools (MD and DO)
1 | Ensure Arizona Is the Right Fit for You
Arizona schools favor students who intend to continue to live and practice in Arizona after their medical school training is over. The exception is Mayo Clinic, which runs itself more like any private, competitive US medical school without an in-state or out-of-state preference.
If you’re considering medical schools in Arizona, do your research to determine if the state itself is actually a good fit for your preferences and the type of education you’re looking for. Schools will be eager to hear why you are interested in Arizona specifically, and you’ll need to be able to authentically back up this interest with your secondary essays and interviews.
Get to know the state and the specific cities of the medical schools you’re applying to. Are they a good fit? Can you see yourself living there for at least four, but possibly many more years?
Next, determine how to articulate this fit to Arizona medical schools. What about Arizona are you most passionate about? What makes you want to stay there or move there from out-of-state?
2 | Gain Experience with Underserved Populations
Generally, the focus in Arizona is on rural medicine and helping underserved populations. There is a large Native American population, so if you have experience working with underserved communities or are passionate about rural medicine, this is definitely something to include in your application.
If any Arizona medical schools are at the top of your list, be sure to gain experience working with underserved populations leading up to application season. You can do this through volunteer opportunities or working in a clinical setting that serves similar communities. It’s one thing to say you care about working with underserved communities but having actual experience is much more noteworthy to admissions committees.
Note that there are lots of opportunities to work with different people and communities. The University of Arizona is focused more on rural and underserved communities. The Mayo Clinic makes an effort as well, but the school is located in a more affluent area and predominantly caters to a more upper-class, homogenous population. So, if you are deeply interested in caring for underserved populations, there are more opportunities at the University of Arizona sites.
3 | Develop a Cohesive Application Narrative
Although it’s true that your application is made up of several pieces, each must work together to advance the story of why you want to become a doctor. There’s a great deal more to your application than a high GPA and MCAT score. Admissions committees want to get to know who you are. Who is the person behind your accomplishments? What drives you? Who in your life had the greatest impact on your desire to pursue medicine?
This isn’t only reserved for your personal statement. Your statement, together with your letters of recommendation, Work and Activities section, and your secondaries, must all tie together. If you say you’re passionate about working with underserved communities in your personal statement but there’s no evidence of his passion in your extracurriculars, adcoms won’t buy what you’re selling.
Each piece of your application must join together to form a cohesive narrative. For Arizona in particular, focusing on your past work with rural and underserved populations, as well your desire to continue working with and assisting those same groups and maintain or establish roots in Arizona, is essential to your acceptance.
Now, crafting a cohesive narrative takes a great deal of forethought, so get started as soon as possible. Reflect deeply on your past. What moments have defined you? Once you determine an authentic and unified narrative, lace it through your entire application.
Learn more: How to Develop a Cohesive Narrative for Medical School Applications.
Bottom Line: Is Going to Medical School in Arizona Right for You?
Medical schools in Arizona prioritize advancing medicine through research as well as helping rural, underserved populations. The state’s schools also have excellent match rates for their students.
But beyond the medical program and school resources, what matters most of all is whether or not you enjoy the community and environment you’ll call home for the next four or more years.
Pros of Medical School in Arizona
- Amazing weather for most of the year, and no snow or winter weather.
- No natural disasters.
- The state is full of beautiful landscapes.
- Great opportunities to work with underserved populations.
- Plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors with great hiking, biking, and varied natural landscapes.
- Inexpensive cost of living compared to other big cities.
- Close proximity to Southern California.
- Travel is relatively convenient.
- Phoenix and Tucson are very close, so you won’t miss out on anything if you choose one city over the other.
- Medical schools are not cutthroat or super competitive. Students are generally happy to be there and happy to make friends.
- Each MD college has excellent match rates.
Cons of Medical School in Arizona
- Summers are very hot.
- Some of the natural wildlife is less than pleasant (i.e., snakes and scorpions, though these are somewhat rare).
- The Phoenix metropolitan area is getting more crowded and expensive.
- Lack of public transportation; cities are not walkable, and you will need a car.
Arizona offers some of the best landscapes and outdoor activities anywhere in the United States, from hiking to mountain biking to mountain climbing to white water rafting.
Packed with natural wonders from the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley, the state is steeped in the romanticized history of the Wild West, as well as the rich cultural heritage of 22 different Native American tribes. If you cherish outdoor activities and are passionate about working with underserved communities, you’ll find a lot to love about the Grand Canyon state.
Learn more: How to Decide Which Medical Schools to Apply to (12 Important Factors).
What Adcoms Are Looking for
Regardless of the state or states where you apply, admission committees are looking for community-minded, well-rounded, and mature students who will enrich the student body at their school. Checking off boxes just because is not enough. Dedication and passion are vital to your success.
Med School Insiders can help you craft a stand out application that will get you noticed by Arizona medical schools, as well as any schools at the top of your list. We have a range of services to suit your specific needs, from one-on-one guidance to application editing to mock interviews.
Our services are tailored to meet the needs of each student because we understand that every applicant is unique. Learn more about our comprehensive medical school application packages.
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Thank you to Jeremiah Bearss, MD, PhD, University of Arizona graduate, for being our Insider contributor for this guide.
